Image source, Reuters Image caption,

The icon shows Soviet dictator Stalin being blessed by St Matrona of Moscow

By Rayhan Demytrie in Tbilisi & Robert Greenall in London

BBC News

An icon depicting Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin meeting a Russian Orthodox saint has been removed from Georgia's main cathedral.

The Georgian Church said the painting had been taken away to be "amended" as there was "insufficient evidence" the two had ever met.

The painting has caused a public outcry and was recently splashed with blue paint in a protest by an activist.

Church leaders and the ruling party have condemned the action.

But the Patriarchate of Georgia said in a statement last week that icons had to portray "real stories" and that the depiction of Stalin had to be changed.

"The donors of the icon are called upon to make the appropriate changes to the image themselves; otherwise, we will do it ourselves," it said.

Many Georgians have criticised the Church for accepting the icon, as Stalin - who was born in Georgia and as a young man trained to be a priest - carried out a massive purge of clergy during his rule.